Qeustionon boat registration

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
I don't think this has been asked before.

I have 3 duckboats. Poke Boat is 12' long, Lund Ducker is 12' long and the Hoefgen is 15" long. Lund Ducker Boat I registered this past season in MN as it never had a VIN and I wanted to create one which required registration.

In MN, if a boat is used only for duck hunting purposes (don't know if this includes scouting or not), one is not required to register any boat if it is used solely for duck hunting. In Wisconsin, the rules are different where boats need to be registered. I hunt both States with all boats.

My question is, if I hunt with the Hoefgen or Poke boat in WI, does it need to be registered? I can't believe it would need to be or one would have to follow every States particular rules on boat registration when hunting that State. If stopped by a CO in WI, and they question why no registration, can I say these are MN boats which require no registration?

For reference I have both a jetski and runabout registered in MN which are legal to use on Wisconsin waters if the boats are primarily used in MN. Both are used primarily in WI but how would anyone know the number of days they are used in either State? Where is the old timer (can't recall his name) who was a lawyer in Texas to answer these questions.

We did get questioned by the CO in MN on opener as to why our kayaks were not registered. He came from another State and was new to the area. We pointed out the MN regs said no boat used for duck hunting in MN needed to be registered. He learned something new.

And, for us old timers. I also learned that once one reaches 65 in MN, one is no longer required to purchase a State Waterfowl (and other stamps). Is this the same where you all hunt?

Mark
 
Mark W said:
My question is, if I hunt with the Hoefgen or Poke boat in WI, does it need to be registered? I can't believe it would need to be or one would have to follow every States particular rules on boat registration when hunting that State.
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Registration not required​

What is not required to be registered in Wisconsin:

  • Nonmotorized boats (non-sailboats).
  • Nonmotorized sailboats 12 feet in length or less.
  • Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days.
  • Boats operated under the authority of a temporary operating receipt, no greater than 60 days from the date of application and payment. The temporary operating receipt must be carried onboard.
  • Boats from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of the state.
  • A military or public boat of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels.
  • A boat whose owner is a state or subdivision of a state, which is used principally for governmental purposes, and which is clearly identifiable.
  • A ships lifeboat.
  • Boats present in this state, for a period of not to exceed 10 days, for the express purpose of competing in a race conducted under a permit from a municipality or an authorized agency of the U.S. government.
 
Mark W said:
And, for us old timers. I also learned that once one reaches 65 in MN, one is no longer required to purchase a State Waterfowl (and other stamps). Is this the same where you all hunt?
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No break for Iowa seniors, still must purchase the $11.50 state migratory stamp/fee. We do qualify for lifetime hunting, fishing and trout.
 
Huntindave McCann said:

Registration not required​

What is not required to be registered in Wisconsin:

  • Nonmotorized boats (non-sailboats).
  • Nonmotorized sailboats 12 feet in length or less.
  • Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days.
  • Boats operated under the authority of a temporary operating receipt, no greater than 60 days from the date of application and payment. The temporary operating receipt must be carried onboard.
  • Boats from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of the state.
  • A military or public boat of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels.
  • A boat whose owner is a state or subdivision of a state, which is used principally for governmental purposes, and which is clearly identifiable.
  • A ships lifeboat.
  • Boats present in this state, for a period of not to exceed 10 days, for the express purpose of competing in a race conducted under a permit from a municipality or an authorized agency of the U.S. government.
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So it looks like the Hoefgen (15') that will probably be using a mini mud motor has to be registered somewhere. What is still muddy to my cheap ,id is the Hoefgen is not required to be registered in MN as it is only used for duck hunting. Guess I may have to find the cheapest place to register it.

Thanks Dave

Mark

So being an older fart than e, are you still required to purchase a State waterffowl stamp. I don't mind spending the $7.50 to support duck hunting but found it interesting.
 
No idea in in the Midwest, but people in Maine and New Hampshire get tickets all the time because they stick a cheap electric motor on the canoe or rowboat at the dock in front of camp (that's "cabin" or "lake house" for you midwesterners) for a booze cruise. They get the unregistered boat citation, and depending on what they blow for a BAC, sometimes operating under the influence. Any motor requires a registration.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
No idea in in the Midwest, but people in Maine and New Hampshire get tickets all the time because they stick a cheap electric motor on the canoe or rowboat at the dock in front of camp (that's "cabin" or "lake house" for you midwesterners) for a booze cruise. They get the unregistered boat citation, and depending on what they blow for a BAC, sometimes operating under the influence. Any motor requires a registration.
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I have another boat at the cabin to do the old "booze cruise". And its registered. In MN instead of WI but believe to be technically within the rules.
 
Your drivers license is MN. You're hunting with an out of state WI hunting license in WI I assume. All your boats should follow your state of residence laws. With that said, don't listen to me. You had to go to court over a damn duck as I remember. I'd call or email Wisconsin DNR and ask if you don't want to take a chance and ask forgiveness.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
No idea in in the Midwest, but people in Maine and New Hampshire get tickets all the time because they stick a cheap electric motor on the canoe or rowboat at the dock in front of camp (that's "cabin" or "lake house" for you midwesterners) for a booze cruise. They get the unregistered boat citation, and depending on what they blow for a BAC, sometimes operating under the influence. Any motor requires a registration.
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Here in Illinois any motorized vessel needs to be registered. I don't technically have to register my 12 ft Grumman v bottom or my 17 ft Grumman canoe but I do because I have used a trolling motor on both.
 
I know in AL and PA any thing with a motor has to be registered. Sailboats too in PA if I remember correctly. And Fish Commission lakes have rules too.
 
Got a talking to by Game Warden a few years back during early teal because of no Registration or life preserver at a Wildlife area impound. Little 10' jon I had put a trolling motor on to travel a bit of distance to where I was going to hunt. Area is only knee deep at best and hadn,t given either objects a second thought as far as needed as its all basically a flooded wetlands not a navigable waterway. I did have a throw cushion in boat. Fortunately while he was talking to me on my arrival to put over point a mud boat boat came rolling in with a bunch of kids in it that had been shooting early. Game warden had been watching whole area from a climbing tree stand at edge of parking area. He completely forgot about me and started in on them. I hustled up and got loaded and left quickly.
 
roy brewington said:
Got a talking to by Game Warden a few years back during early teal because of no Registration or life preserver at a Wildlife area impound. Little 10' jon I had put a trolling motor on to travel a bit of distance to where I was going to hunt. Area is only knee deep at best and hadn,t given either objects a second thought as far as needed as its all basically a flooded wetlands not a navigable waterway. I did have a throw cushion in boat. Fortunately while he was talking to me on my arrival to put over point a mud boat boat came rolling in with a bunch of kids in it that had been shooting early. Game warden had been watching whole area from a climbing tree stand at edge of parking area. He completely forgot about me and started in on them. I hustled up and got loaded and left quickly.
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Saved by the bell! :) I'm betting this was an older, experienced warden. The young guns often want to write every ticket they can, probably because it affects their performance reviews and promotions. I remember a trainee who checked me and wanted to cite me for not having my duck stamp attached to me license because I had bought my state waterfowl endorsement separately on line and stuck the stamp on that instead. The senior warden with him let this go on for a while and then quietly pulled him aside and let him know I was 100% legal.
 
Jeff~

I have seen the same scenario. While not a warden (ECO in New York), I was the senior (mid 30s?) staff who quietly explained to a new officer that one needs to "cite" a specific section of a statute or regulation when writing a "citation" - hence the term. Is that concept not made clear in the academy - or by one's sergeant?

In any event, most of us want to be both safe and legal. Some recent NYS laws - vague, confusing and self-contradictory - make the understanding a true challenge.

All the best,

SJS
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Saved by the bell! :) I'm betting this was an older, experienced warden. The young guns often want to write every ticket they can, probably because it affects their performance reviews and promotions. I remember a trainee who checked me and wanted to cite me for not having my duck stamp attached to me license because I had bought my state waterfowl endorsement separately on line and stuck the stamp on that instead. The senior warden with him let this go on for a while and then quietly pulled him aside and let him know I was 100% legal.
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Jeff,

If I understand your story correctly, the young warden wanted to pinch you for not having the duck stamp "attached" or "affixed" to (some part) of your license? I've heard that requirement reiterated many times over the years in Maine, but have never seen it in writing. I'm suspicious that it's just a myth. It would not surprise me if some states have such a law, but it makes no sense for people who hunt in multiple states.
 
SJ Fairbank said:
Jeff,

If I understand your story correctly, the young warden wanted to pinch you for not having the duck stamp "attached" or "affixed" to (some part) of your license? I've heard that requirement reiterated many times over the years in Maine, but have never seen it in writing. I'm suspicious that it's just a myth. It would not surprise me if some states have such a law, but it makes no sense for people who hunt in multiple states.
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If memory serves me correctly, at one time Iowa required it to be attached to your hunting license.

The Iowa regs now read; FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING & CONSERVATION STAMP - The law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older must carry on his person a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) that is validated by the hunter signing the stamp in ink across the face of the stamp. The Stamp is required even if a Hunting License is not required.

I suspect the change was driven by the fact that one does not need a "hard copy" hunting license anymore (at least in Iowa) In my case, my Iowa hunting license is electronic and lifetime. The DNR officer can look it up or I can bring ALL my licenses up on the phone app. It is my hope that at some point in time, the Federal stamp can be integrated with the phone app.

Had to do just that yesterday, when a conservation officer paddled up to me in a kayak, while I was duck hunting. He checked my license and stamps, we had a conversation and he went on his way.
 
Now in Md. when you purchase your Fed. stamp you have the option of receiving it or not. If you purchased stamp on line they,ll mail it to you if you request it. Doesn,t come till following spring though. On your license printout it states whether you've purchased stamps as well as any other types of required items including fishing license. If you just retain info on phone info is available the same way. Oh, make sure you have your drivers license with you if you get checked by warden. Required now for validation.
 
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